MARYVILLE, Mo. —The No. 3-ranked Pittsburg State University Gorillas scored a pair of wins Friday afternoon over the Northwest Missouri State University softball team.

The Gorillas moved to 39-2 overall and 11-1 in MIAA play. Northwest dipped to 27-12 overall and 7-7 in league action. The Gorillas tallied a 4-0 shutout in game one and posted an 11-7 triumph in game two.

GAME ONE
The Bearcats managed five hits, including two doubles, but were unable to score against Pittsburg State's pitching, which recorded eight strikeouts. The game was marked by pivotal moments in the fourth and fifth innings. 

In the fourth inning, Pittsburg State took the lead when Alleyna Rushing scored on a fielder's choice. Lexi Davis then reached home on Haili Igou's triple, giving Pittsburg State a 2-0 advantage. The fifth inning saw the Gorillas extend their lead as Trista Peterson scored on a sacrifice fly, followed by Rachael Schlotter coming home on Kadyn Trochim's single, making the score 4-0. Northwest Missouri had opportunities throughout the game, including hits by Timber Wilson and Sara Farlow in the second inning, but could not convert these into runs. 

Jadyn Streigle pitched a complete game for the Bearcats, going 7.0 innings on the mound. Streigle allowed seven hits and six walks, resulting in four runs, two of which were earned. Streigle took the loss, marking a 13-4 record for the season. Sara Farlow recorded two hits, including a double, contributing significantly to the team's offense, while Omara Love added a double.

GAME TWO
Northwest faced a competitive matchup where it initially trailed. In the first inning, Emma Hague doubled to left field, setting up a scoring opportunity that allowed Omara Love to single and bring Hague home, bringing the score to 2-1. The Bearcats surged in the fourth inning as Alexis Brown doubled to left field, driving in two runs, and Hague followed with an RBI single, concluding the inning with Northwest ahead 4-2.

However, Pittsburg State responded with a five-run fifth inning to take a 7-4 lead. Northwest Missouri fought back when Jaeleigh Darnell hit a three-run homer in the fifth, tying the game at 7-7. Unfortunately, Pittsburg State regained control in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to secure its 11-7 victory.

Rien Moore pitched 5 1/3 innings for the Bearcats, giving up 11 earned runs on 12 hits, including one home run, while recording five strikeouts and issuing five walks. Erika Gore relieved Moore, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing two hits while striking out one. 

Hague recorded three hits, including two doubles, and added one RBI. Darnell tallied three RBIs with her home run, and Brown contributed two RBIs with a double. Timber Wilson also posted two hits in the game. 

Northwest will play host to Missouri Southern Saturday at 2 p.m. in doubleheader action.